Thunderbolts, Cows, Progeniture and Snakes – Bhagavad Gita, Ch 10, Vs 28-29

Lord Shiva's Thunderbolt — Lord Shiva with Trident and Thunderbolt

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The eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Arjuna and his childhood friend and Guru, Lord Krishna. Arjuna has asked Him to explain how He, as Absolute God, exists within Creation (beginning with verses 19-20, “God in You”):

Thunderbolts, Cows, Progeniture and Snakes

28
Of weapons, I am the thunderbolt, and of cows I am Kamadhuk. Of progenitors, I am Kandarpa, and of serpents, I am Vasuki.

Alternate translation:
Of instruments of power, I am the Thunderbolt. Of cows, I am Kamadhuk, the wish-fulfilling cow. Of progenitors, I am Kandarpa the inciter, and of snakes, I am Vāsuki, the hidden wisdom within.

The thunderbolt of Lord Shiva is called vajra, which means ‘hard and mighty’ and is associated with indestructibility, and consequently, with diamonds.

Kamadhuk, or Kamadhenu, ‘the wish-fulfilling cow’, is discussed in chapter three, The Golden Womb.

Kandarpa, the progenitor, means ‘inciter’, from kan (satisfying) + darpa, from the root drip (extravagantly delighted).

Vāsuki, from vāsu, ‘indwelling’ and ki, ‘knowing’. Vasuki is the chief of three snake-kings. He is the serpent the gods and the demons used as a rope for twisting round Mount Mandara to churn the milky ocean and recover the amrita, the nectar of immortality. The nectar was lost in the deluge during the dissolution of the last Manvantara, the previous time period of Creation (306,720,000 of our years).

The other two snake-kings are Shesha, the ‘remainder’ after purification, and Taksha, ‘cutting through’.

The Remainder: The ingesting of the remainder on the part of the body leads to khechari mudra, ‘flying in the air seal’.

Cutting Through begins due to the purification process leaving behind only what is pure, the ‘remainder’, and refers to cutting through all the underlying causes of attachments. This can only begin after sufficient purification leaves a ‘remainder’ to be ingested.

Vasuki is the indwelling knowledge of this, as well as where it will take you. This knowledge is awakened by the guru and accessed through the God-practice taught by the guru (i.e., Lord Krishna). Then the ingestion of the Remainder and Cutting Through will come about on their own, naturally.

Previously, we talked about ‘flying up powerfully‘. When flying up becomes ‘sealed’, or ‘secured’, this is called khechari mudra. At this point, one must know how to proceed and goes to guru for guidance. Thus does one’s ‘indwelling knowing’ (Vāsuki) become verified and one enters a new phase of surrender yoga sadhana.

Why snakes? Snakes represent desires, the underlying cause of attachments. They are ‘cut away’ by the purification process of khechari mudra, and putting into action the indwelling knowledge of Vāsuki.

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29
Of snakes I am Ananta, and of waters, I am Varuna. Of ancestors, I am Aryaman, and of that which holds things together, I am Yama.

Ananta is seen as a snake with his mouth circling back to eat its tail. This circular formation symbolizes endlessness, the no-beginning-no-end of Eternity, the unlimitedness of God. Once again we ask, Why a snake? especially if snakes represent desires?

Ananta is the ultimate desire that keeps everything going. If we think of a desire as something we are attracted to and seek to have, it is understandable that desire makes the world go around. As Lord Krishna’s states, “I am that desire which is not contrary to dharma,” we learn of a desire that is God Itself. It is this longing for God/Truth that is this desire. It prompts us to seek God/Truth and to take up the God-practice that is yoga (uniting).

Ananta, 1000 headed snake

Ananta is also depicted as a thousand-headed snake. The number 1000 expresses a multitude or totality of something, imperishability and infinity. The name Ananta means ‘infinite, immortal, unending, without limit.’

Varuna, from vri, ‘to surround, or envelop’, is Lord of the Waters, enveloping not only the earth, but the depths of the oceans and the all-enveloping surrounder of the denizens of the waters.

Varuna, Lord of the Waters

Varuna is lord of the waters of heaven, the ‘celestial waters’ in the head. We might think of this as soma or amrita, or any feature we might imagine as fluid-like, such as hormones seeping through the endocrine (ductless) glands.

Water also represents purification, and that from which manifestation arises.

Aryaman, ‘Chief of the Ancestors’ is ‘the dear friend and companion’. He presides over the lunar mansion of Uttara, meaning left, upper and north.

The path of the left is north, the upper-going, or ascendent path. Being chief of the ancestors, Aryaman is the chief of DNA in the body, and the direction, or path, by which the purified (or corrected) DNA (bindi), ascends. Thus is he a friend.

Yama is the King of Death. His father is Vivasvat, the Sun, and the Manu of our current Manvantara (time period). His mother’s name is Samjna, ‘together, the same, in harmony with’.

Yama, Lord of Death The word yama means both ‘restrainer or subduer’ and ‘twins or pairs’. Yama restrains, or holds, pairs together as a unit, reminding us once again of DNA.

The Sanskrit for ‘restrainer and subduer’ is samyama, the term Patanjali uses to demonstrate concentration, meditation and equanimity taken together as samadhi, ‘the little death’ of yoga (union), the last of the eight steps of Yoga. Interestingly, Yama is also the first step of Yoga consisting of five principles descriptive of God and You-as-you-really-are. Mastery of the yamas brings about successful yoga, special powers, and success in life.

Namaste (I bow to the divine one you really are),
Durga Ma
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Horses, Elephants and Nectar – Bhagavad Gita, Ch 10, Vs 27

Airavata, mount of Indra, king of the gods.

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Horses, Elephants and Nectar

27
Of horses, know me as Uccaihshravas, produced of nectar. Of princely elephants, I am Airavata, and of men, I am Lord.

Alternate translation:
Of horses, know me to be the heavenly seven-headed horse born of the nectar of immortality, Uccaihshravas. Of elephants, I am Airāvata, ‘enjoyment and satisfaction’, the vehicle of Indra, lord of the gods in heaven. Of men, I am Lord.

Uccaihshravas. The word uccaihshravas means ‘flying up powerfully’. This refers to the flying up of Kundalini-Prana. Lord Krishna is saying that this ‘flying up powerfully’ is Himself.

Uccaihshravas, the heavenly horse produced by nectar.

This tells us that Kundalini flies up powerfully as a result of amrita, the nectar of immortality—it is not the other way around as might be expected. Amrita is already in action when the strong ascent of Kundalini begins, and Prana is drawn up with it. This takes place in the sushumna nadi, the central channel, but may be experienced as a full body phenomenon when the sushumna has expanded.

The seven heads of Uccaihshravas indicate the seven chakras unified and seated in the head behind the eyebrow center. Initially, the chakras and the nerve centers may not match, and the sushumna and the spine may not match, but the body will ultimately match the ananda kosha, the template of the perfect form for each individual.

The ananda kosha (‘bliss body’) is the subtlest of five sheaths, or subtle bodies. They are the veils of Salome in the Bible. These five sheaths are subtler than the astral (mental) or etheric (emotional) bodies. The ananda kosha is the subtlest of all.

The energy, now established in the head at the sixth chakra, tries to bring the physical into alignment with the ananda kosha in order to transition into an immortal body. People with congenital disabilities and handicaps are not given shaktipat and initiated into surrender sadhana. At this point, it can be too much to bear.

Airavata is Indra’s vehicle, an elephant whose name means ‘giving enjoyment and satisfaction’. Airavata is derived from the word iravat, meaning ‘one who is produced from water’, and is closely connected to ida, the name of the channel for the cooling and downward flowing energy in the body (apana). But Airavata lives in heaven (the head), so here is another connection to water similar to apana, but in the head. Water represents the fluid nature of hormones seeping through endocrine (ductless) glands. This is a reference to amrita, the nectar of immortality.

When Indra defeated Vritra*, Airavata reached down into the watery underworld (below the 3rd chakra) with his trunk, sucked up the water and sprayed it into the clouds. Indra then caused cool water to rain down, thereby linking the waters to those of the underworld (sky and earth from the point of view of heaven). The downward flowing of this ‘water’ creates hormonal changes in the body brought on by, and further producing, ‘flying up powerfully’.

*Vritra – A ‘demon of darkness and drought’ who takes possession of the clouds, causing them to obstruct the rain. Indra battles with this evil influence and shatters the pent up clouds with his thunderbolt in order to open them and release the rain.

‘Flying up powerfully’ occurs naturally through natural, surrender meditation. This Experiential Surrender Mediation is called ‘sacrifice’ in the Bhagavad Gita. It is a ‘sacrifice’ to surrender oneself to Absolute God/Truth in meditation. We take what we get, and accept whatever happens or doesn’t happen—our attachments and desires have been left at the door.

We are saying, in effect, “Thy will be done O Lord, not mine.” And we mean it. We are more and more motivated to become more and more surrendered over time, ultimately caring only for union (yoga) with Absolute God. If a divine immortal body is the end result, fine. If it isn’t, fine. We are not doing this sadhana to get physical immortality, but for liberation and union with Absolute God. So that’s what we surrender to.

You get what you surrender to.

Namaste (I bow to the divine one you really are),
Durga Ma
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On September 13, 2017September 11, 2017 By Durga MaIn Ancient Mystical Writings, Bhagavad GitaLeave a comment

Trees, Devotion, Music and Perfection – Bhagavad Gita, Ch 10, Vs 26

The image of Durga Ma is a map of successful yoga.
From left to right:

Her right hand gives blessings and initiation. Mace – scepter of sovereignty. Sword – Khechari mudra, cuts away attachments. Discus – chakra. Conch – cochlea of the inner ear suggesting yawning, the call to meditation, and divine sound. Trident – prana, apana and kundalini (and their channels, pingala, ida and sushumna), and the trinity of Brahma & Saraswati (Brahma’s shakti, or power), Vishnu & Lakshmi (Vishnu’s power), and Shiva & Parvati (Shiva’s power). Bow and arrow – the instrument of union (yoga). Lotus – the flower of heaven that floats above the water with its stem reaching down into the earth suggesting the sushumna nadi (the central channel in the body) and soma, or ‘moon juice’.

Durga Ma is the ultimate power and one’s greatest ally for reaching the fulfillment of yoga sadhana, for she demolishes the most difficult of obstacles to this end. She rides a tiger, the most dangerous of predatory creatures, suggesting that She has mastered the most dangerous of creatures, the body. We humans are servants to our bodies; they run things, they run us, and they run our lives. We are mistakenly identified with our bodies as ourselves. Durga Ma is not. For Durga Ma, She is the master, not the mastered.

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Trees, Devotion, Music and Perfection

26
Of trees, I am the Tree of Life. Of divine Seers, I am Narada. Of the Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha. Of siddhas, I am Kapila Muni.

Of trees, I am the Tree of Life
‘Where horses stand’, I am ‘the bringer of fruit’.
In the body, I am the channels of Life Energy, Prana, the bringer of good results (fruits).

The Sanskrit word for ‘tree’ means ‘where horses stand’.

Horses – the senses
Tree – where the senses are situated
Fruit-bearing – bringing results

This tree with all its branches represents the channels for the flow of fluids and energy in the body. The main trunk of the tree represents the spine, the central nervous system, and the sushumna nadi, the ‘kind and gracious’ central energy channel. But there is also another concept concerning this tree…

Tree of Life — Yogeshwar used to say that to understand Yoga, you have to stand on your head.

This Eternal tree, called Ashvattha (‘where horses stand’), has its roots above and its branches below. Only yogis are allowed to eat the fruit of this tree, for only yogis can handle its power.

Because of this exclusivity, we may conclude that these ‘fruits’ are obtained not by the senses, but by their faculties. These faculties are powers of perception, powers of knowing, that are inherent in the Real Divine You, by which you are able to experience God/Truth and Divine manifestations directly (without any means) in meditation.

According to discoveries made in Mohenjo-Daro (an archeological site), the Ashvattha tree was revered in India more than a thousand years before the oldest parts of the Bible were written.

Of the divine Seers, I am Narada
Narada Muni Of divine sages, I am Narada, the great devotee. From nara, man, or nari, woman, specifically a yogi or yogini who has reached a stage of yoga sadhana in which he or she can commune in meditation with others in or beyond that stage.

Narada is the enraptured bard and devotee who sings to God constantly, even though everyone thinks he is only a crazy man. Narada is the ultimate musician and devotee.

Of the Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha
Of celestial musicians, I am Chitraratha, ‘of unusual and wondrous form’.

Chitraratha means, ‘having a bright chariot’. The ‘chariot’ refers to a body, or form, used for getting around. A gandharva’s form is bright and extraordinary in appearance. Gandharvas can be seen in meditation. They have beautiful bodies (chariots), are extremely attractive, and herald a new stage of yoga sadhana.

Of the siddhas, I am Kapila Muni
Of the ‘the perfected’, I am Kapila Muni.

Kapila Muni

Muni means, saint, sage, seer, ascetic, devotee, or hermit, from mu, ‘final emancipation’. Kapila was a perfected yogi, and is an Immortal Master. He is considered to be the greatest of psychologists and philosophers, and the founder of Sankhya (chapter two).

The word kapila is also said to be derived from kamp, meaning a tremor, or a trembling or shaking motion. This is an effect experienced in advanced stages of yoga sadhana when the energy is established at the sixth chakra. This may present as a certain kind of pranayama (‘life energy restraint’), and may spontaneously manifest as a dynamic form of breathing that increases and stabilizes the powerful concentration of the energy at the sixth chakra. This occurs when Prana tries to keep the energy in place (restrained) when outside influences are different than what Prana in trying to achieve.

This verse then, tells us about a very special tree, and the close relationship of music and devotion as a means of reaching perfection.

Namaste (I bow to the divine one you really are),
Durga Ma
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On September 9, 2017 By Durga MaIn Ancient Mystical Writings, Bhagavad GitaLeave a comment

The Best Surrender, Ascendent Kundalini & OM – Bhagavad Gita, Ch 10, Vs 24-25

Arjuna receives shaktipat from Krishna. Shaktipat can only be received in a state of surrender. The term ‘surrender’ is synonymous with ‘sacrifice’.

The Power of God & You

The manifestations of God in the world, in you, and in the entire universe.

The eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad Gita are a conversation between Arjuna and his childhood friend and Guru, Lord Krishna. Arjuna has asked Him to explain how He as Absolute God, exists within Creation. Lord Krishna began answering this question in verse 19-20, God in You, and now He continues:

The Best Surrender, Ascendent Kundalini & OM

24
And Partha, of leaders, know me to be the chief of sacrificers, Bṛhaspati. Of commanders, I am Skanda, and of waters, I am the ocean.

Partha means ‘Holder of the Sword’. This is Arjuna, but Arjuna is an archer, so what is the meaning of this?

By addressing Arjuna as Holder of the Sword, Lord Krishna suggests that Arjuna holds an instrument that cuts. There is more than one meaning to this. One is that Arjuna now holds the knowledge (sword) of this God-practice that Lord Krishna has given him. Another is that, at some point, this instrument will cause impinging attachments to be cut away. This is a reference to khechari mudra, (sky-walking, or flying in the air, seal) which is associated with the fifth and sixth chakras.

Bṛhaspati is the chief, or best, offerer of sacrifices. The Sanskrit for chief means ‘placed at the head, north and ‘face’—north is the head where the gates of the senses are located in the face, the east.

Bṛhaspati is the Lord of Devotion, the best sacrificer. In the meditation I practice, ‘sacrifice‘ is the surrender of oneself to God in meditation. Brihaspati then, is full and complete surrender without reservation—the best of sacrifices.

Skanda is the unrestrained leader of armies against the enemies of the gods. Skanda uses a full-feathered peacock as his personal vehicle, suggesting that he represents the task of attaining and maintaining ascendent Kundalini, which he preserves by protecting it.

Skanda is Lord Shiva’s first born son. That Skanda is His ‘first born’ indicates that Skanda is first thing produced by Lord Shiva when the energy enters into the realm of Shiva in the body, the Rudra loka (above the throat). Skanda is this protection. He is also called Subrahmanya, ‘dear to Brahmans (God-people)’.

Water is fluid and takes the form of the vessel containing it. The word for water in Sanskrit is rasa, meaning ‘the best or prime part of anything, a fluid or essential juice of the body, also called mercury or quicksilver’. Mercury is fluid in the same way as water, and represents Kundalini. With the heat produced by purification, Kundalini rises like the mercury in a thermometer.

Consider the sequence: the (1) best sacrifices (2) produces the protector of (3) ascendent Kundalini.

25
Of the Great Sages, I am Bhṛgu, and of vocal sounds, I am the single syllable OM. Of sacrifices, I am the japa sacrifice. Of the non-moving, I am the Himālayas.

Bhrighu, the best sacrificer, full surrender to God — Bhrigu

Alternate translation:
Of the Great Sages, I am Bhrigu, bringer of fire and light to men. Of vocalizations, I am the one imperishable sound: OM. Of sacrifices, I am the chanting of the names of God. Of the non-moving, I am the Himalayas.

Of the Great Sages, I am Bhrigu
‘Bhrigu’ means ‘bringer of Fire and Light (energy)’ and ‘builder of chariots’ (bodies)’.

Of vocal sounds, I am the single syllable “Om”
Of sounds, I am the one and only completely pure and imperishable sound, the sound of OM (pronounced AUM, or ONG). The power of OM This sound is the basis of all sounds, and all words.

Of sacrifices, I am the japa sacrifice
Of sacrifices (surrenders), I am the spontaneous sound of OM heard in meditation, and the spontaneous chanting of the many syllables and names of God in meditation (anahata nada) that has given rise to language.

Japa is an incantation that castes a spell. This occurs spontaneously in Experiential Meditation. One becomes enraptured by the repetitiveness of this charm. This mystical charm is quietly (privately) chanted, or sung. Later, spontaneous dancing begins.

Of the non-moving, I am the Himālayas
Of the non-moving, I am ‘the night (himā) of absorption (laya)’ in the ‘abode of snow’ (himālaya). The abode of snow is the mountain top, the head, brain and mind.

When the mind finally stops moving, one becomes absorbed in the Absolute where there is no-thing to know, no-thing to be conscious of (‘night’). This non-moving state is Absolute God. In this state, there is only Absolute Bliss, for bliss is the nature of Absolute God. While it may seem that absorption indicates a merging in which the individual disappears, this is not so. One’s individuality can never be lost.

This verse has told us what precedes the verse before it, for one practicing yoga sadhana naturally.

Namaste (I bow to the divine one you really are),
Durga Ma
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On September 2, 2017 By Durga MaIn Ancient Mystical Writings, Bhagavad GitaLeave a comment

Howlers, Happiness & Surrender – Bhagavad Gita, Ch 10, Vs 23

Rudra-Shiva

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Howlers, Happiness & Surrender

23
Of the Rudras, I am Shankara, and of Yakshas and Rakshasas I am Vittesha. Of the Vasus I am Pavaka, and of mountains I am Meru.

Alternate translation and expansion:
Of the Storm Gods (Rudras) who run about howling and chasing away depression and anxiety and purifying the body, I am Shankara, the maker of happiness. Of that which acquires and protects what is valuable (Yakshas), and that which preserves it (Rakshasas), I am the leader and king (Vitesha). Of the Vasus who dwell within all beings as earth, water, fire, air, space, sun, moon, and stars, I am Pavaka, the god of Fire, also known as Agni, the energy of the evolutionary force, kundalini. Of mountains, I am Meru, the central channel in the body through which kundalini ascends.

Of the Rudras, I am Shankara
He is Shankara, the original form of Lord Shiva. Shankara means ‘auspicious maker of happiness’. The meaning of Rudra, another name of Shiva, is ‘howling, roaring, and driving away evil and misfortune’. When these less desirable attributes are purified through surrender, one is left with Happiness, their natural state.

Of the Yakṣas and Rakṣasas I am Vitteśa
The Yakṣas and Rakṣasas are semi-divine beings and demons. Vitteśa (from vitta, anything found, acquired, obtained or possessed, i.e., wealth, goods, knowledge and correct understanding’) is their leader and keeper of the treasure.

The Yakṣas are nature-spirits, usually benevolent, who are caretakers of the natural treasures hidden in the earth and tree roots. They are very fond of acquiring wealth and hoarding it.

The Rakṣasas are physical beings with magical powers, who consume raw flesh. They are said to be cannibals and shape shifters. There are both good and evil Rakṣasas. They are powerful warriors, expert magicians and illusionists. It may surprise you to learn that Rakṣasas fought on the side of the Pandavas, Arjuna’s side, the good guys in the Mahabharata war.

Of the Vasus, I am Pāvaka
The Vasus (‘dwelling in all beings’) are a class of beneficent gods. Pavaka, meaning ‘pure, clear and bright’, is another name of Agni, the god of sacrificial fires (human sacrifice: self-surrender), as well as the digestive faculty (food and impurities). ‘Fire’ is energy and is associated with both Prana, the Life Energy, and Kundalini, the Evolutionary Energy.

Of mountains, I am Meru
Mount Meru is the central channel (sushumna) through which the fire, or energy, climbs upward in the body when one reaches a sufficient degree of purification.

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Human Sacrifice

In this verse we are taken to the subject of the awakened and ascendent kundalini. Remember where we have come from: The last verse was on the relationship of consciousness, mind and senses. We discussed the fundamental Power that connects them all: With correct understanding of the role of Attention, we make our way to the ascension of Kundalini. Depression, anxiety and misfortune in general will be vanquished, and greater happiness attained.

In the process, we will run into some questionable characters who will turn out to be allies in the journey of the evolutionary force attempting to ascend.

All this is accomplished by human sacrifice.

Human sacrifice has been unfortunately misunderstood. The true meaning of human sacrifice is the sacrifice of oneself as a being, to God. This is practiced in meditation, not in life or on the streets.

Human Sacrifice: Human is what you are being. Sacrifice is the surrender of that to Absolute God in meditation.

This is a very special practice that is mostly unknown, and rarely practiced. It is performed by the initiate surrendering him or herself to God in the context of meditation. Surrender to Absolute God ultimately leads to union with That, the greatest fulfillment possible for any human being. There are a few guidelines that are given by the guru upon initiation. They are very few, but vital.

I have practiced this form of sacrifice for over forty years, and can attest to its veracity and the fulfillment it brings. If you are suspicious about this concept of human sacrifice, you may be assured that it is not at all what you may think. This body is over 75 years old, still alive and kicking.

If you are curious about it, you can get a taste of it. The first initiation into Experiential Meditation will give you a very mild form of it, but you’ll get the idea. Then, if you like, you can go for the gold. You will see a link to this and to its partner practice, Self Emergence, below.

Namaste (I bow to the divine one you really are),
Durga Ma
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On August 26, 2017 By Durga MaIn Ancient Mystical Writings, Bhagavad Gita4 Comments

Life Mastery & Authentic Meditation – Bhagavad Gita, Ch 10, Vs 22

The Power of God & You

The manifestations of God in the world, in you, and in the entire universe.

The eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Arjuna and his childhood friend and Guru, Lord Krishna. Arjuna has asked Him to explain how He, as Absolute God, exists within a Creation that is Relative. Lord Krishna began answering this question in verses 19-20, “God In You”, and continues:

Music, Mind, the Senses and Consciousness

22
Of the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda. Of the gods, I am Vasava, and of the senses, I am the mind and consciousness of beings.

Alternate translation:
Of the Vedas, which are based on Truth, I am the Sama Veda, the most pertinent of the Vedas. Of the gods, the senses, I am Vasava, the power of perception in beings. And of the senses, I am the mind, consisting of memory and thinking, and the consciousness of which the mind is made.

“Of the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda”
“Of true Knowledge, I am Music.”

The Sama (song) Veda (knowledge) contains knowledge of God’s vibhutis (powers, manifestations) in songs and chants.

The word sama also means ‘sameness’, and ‘veda’ means ‘knowledge of Truth’—the knowledge that we are all essentially the same. This can be known through the experience of music. It is no wonder that music is common to all our lives and loved by everyone. Music is the sound of Love. We are all in love with each other, and we don’t even know it.

Rereading this, I realized with a jolt of joy, what had drawn me so irresistibly to music that I was obsessed with it night and day since I could crawl. Then I discovered a piano in the church basement and longed to play. This love would pull at my heart so strongly that it hurt. The joy of it was bitter-sweet: I longed to hear it, and make it, and hear what I made, but I was too little to do anything about it. Later in my life, I was able to play well and discovered the wonder and joy of the connection of one person with a thousand strangers while performing with an orchestra. Within seconds of beginning, I was in love with all those people.

“Of the gods, I am Vasava”
“Of the senses, I am the power of perception that dwells within beings.”

The senses are gods. Vāsava, from vasu, meaning ‘dwelling within’, is another name of Indra, king of the gods, the powers of perception. There are eight vasus, eight aspects of nature—earth, water, fire, air, ether, moon, sun, and stars—that correlate with their dwelling within beings—smell, taste, sight, touch, hearing, mind, intelligence and self-sense. He is the ability to sense, as opposed to the physical organs of sense.

“Of the senses, I am the mind and consciousness of beings”
The mind is made of consciousness—not consciousness of, but consciousness itself.

The word for ‘consciousness’ is chetana, your ability to be conscious, from chitta, meaning ‘to perceive, notice or observe’. The ability to be conscious is inherent in you as a Divine Individual. This ability has manifested in nature as your five sense organs.

Attention and Consciousness — Attention is a flow of consciousness to something other than you.

The job of your senses is to bring you information. Your attention goes out through the senses to perceive things, stores them in the mind and you are conscious of them. This flow of consciousness from you to something other than you, is called “attention”. Thus does God work for you according to your choice.

God is your mind, attention & consciousness

You have ears because you can hear, eyes because you can see, etc. It is not the other way around as western science would have you believe.

According to Your Choice

I say “according to your choice” because you have the ability to determine where your attention goes. Although most of the time we don’t bother making this choice but let it roam around to anything that attracts it, the ability to do so is still ours if we choose to use it.

Attention is a flow of consciousness from the mind to anything other than you that you can be conscious of.

Attention is the reins in Arjuna’s chariot to the horses, the senses. The difference between Arjuna and most of us is that Arjuna has put Lord Krishna in the driver’s seat. This is what is meant by ‘surrender’.

Your attention is always at work, providing you with a constant inflow of information. Either it goes to whatever attracts it, or it goes where you send it. All you have to do is decide, and off it goes, eager to please. It is one hundred percent obliging. It will go wherever you want it to go—in your body, your mind, or any external object you choose. Indeed, the attention is your servant and you are the Master.

Consider this Power! It is a wondrous thing. Attention is not only a Power, but it is something of which you have complete control, without having to exert any effort at all. It just does what you tell it to do.

The more you notice this in your everyday life, the more you will be amazed by it. Keep it up and you will eventually acknowledge this Power as your own Power serving you at all times. Then you will come to understand the teachings of Yoga around attraction and aversion: what you want, and what you don’t want, has always been up to you. Now this issue of attraction and aversion, which you probably have had some resistance to, is a piece of cake.

Attention is the sweet kitty on your lap, or the feral cat outside—either you engage your power of choice to determine its direction, or it is off and running, looking for things to devour.

If you do not act as the Master but let your attention run free, you will receive all kinds of information, whether you want it or not, whether you like it or not, whether you become desirous of obtaining something it has shown you or not. In this situation, you are vulnerable to desires and attractions running you.

This is not going to lead to happiness. Your mind however, will insist that fulfilling your desires is exactly what you need to do to be happy. But your mind can only work with what it’s got. It is for this reason that correct knowledge is vital to spiritual development and life mastery. Believing your mind is otherwise not a good idea at all, for a mind without correct knowledge will cheat you out of happiness. The solution is to become a Master of Attention. This is done by mastering Meditation and Life, for the foundation of both of these, is Attention.

Master your attention, master your energy, master your Life.

Experiential Surrender Meditation

In Arjuna’s chariot, the reins are in the hands of Lord Krishna.

There is one more option: You can surrender the control of the reins of your chariot, and even the chariot itself, to Absolute God in meditation. In everyday life you continue as stated above, but if you put God in the driver’s seat in meditation, God will manage your meditation for you.

Meditation is a steady flow of Attention to a single object.

Within that meditation, you are completely free and relived of all effort and the stress of responsibility, for God has taken the reins. With God in the driver’s seat, you will have amazing experiences, become united with That, prove God for yourself, and achieve true fulfillment and wondrous joy.

Namaste (I bow to the divine one you really are),
Durga Ma
durgama.com

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